Canal Corporation

The Canalway Trail is a network of approximately 300 miles of multiple-use trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trail follows the towpaths of both active and historic sections of the New York State Canal System as well as adjacent abandoned rail corridors.

Major portions of the Canalway Trail follow the legendary Erie Canal route from Buffalo to Albany. Along the way, the Erie Canalway Trail links the cities of Rochester, Syracuse and Utica. Over 75% of the Erie Canalway Trail is completed off-road. The Cycling the Erie Canal guide by Parks & Trails New York Leaving NYS Canal's Website provides recommended on-street links that complete the trail route across the state. Other portions of the Canalway Trail follow the Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego canals.

The Canalway Trail is not only a great long distance bicycling destination, but also an ideal close-to-home recreational resource for biking, walking, jogging and other types of seasonal trail activities. Trailhead parking and interpretive kiosks with historic information about the Erie Canal and New York State Canal System are located at many points along the Erie Canalway Trail. The Canalway Trail primarily consists of a stone dust surface with some asphalt segments. Equestrian activities are allowed on the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park Leaving NYS Canal's Website 36-mile section of the Erie Canalway Trail (between East Syracuse and Rome).